Behind the Brenda Starr comic strip

Chicago Tribune file photo

Brenda Starr was created in 1940 by cartoonist Dale Messick, a greeting-card artist from South Bend, Ind. Messick tweaked her own first name from Dalia to Dale after she was told editors and readers would be more receptive to a gender-neutral moniker. Brenda Starr was named after a debutante from the 1930s and her appearance was based on actress Rita Hayworth. In this photo from 1953, Messick works on a Brenda Starr strip.

Brenda Starr was created in 1940 by cartoonist Dale Messick, a greeting-card artist from South Bend, Ind. Messick tweaked her own first name from Dalia to Dale after she was told editors and readers would be more receptive to a gender-neutral moniker. Brenda Starr was named after a debutante from the 1930s and her appearance was based on actress Rita Hayworth. In this photo from 1953, Messick works on a Brenda Starr strip. (Chicago Tribune file photo)

When female reporter Brenda Starr was introduced to the U.S. in newspapers 70 years ago, she quickly became one of the most recognizable comic strip characters ever. Here's a look at her creator and some of the changes in the strip over the years.